N'Dicka plays full 90 minutes for Ivory Coast; Mancini and Koné in action today

Andrea Stramaccioni has defended Bryan Cristante's importance to Gasperini's Roma system, calling the midfielder fundamental to the club's approach. Speaking on Radio Manà Manà Sport, Stramaccioni praised Cristante's dual role as a ball-winning midfielder, saying: "Cristante is fundamental for Gasperini because he succeeds in interpreting the role of the double midfielder with physical strength, presence, aerial play and defensive protection. He is a player who runs, covers countless dimensions and does it with intelligence. In this moment he is a precious player, key. He is well, knows the coach's ideas and is important in the dressing room." Stramaccioni assessed Roma's current season position, noting that while the club has shown strength, Inter remain the favourites. "Roma has shown it can absolutely compete with the top side, but the top side in my view remains Inter," he said. He highlighted the scale of the challenge ahead: "Sunday there is Como, Wednesday Real Madrid: this is Roma's great test. These are technical and tactical factors, but also very mental ones." Roma must learn to compete for 90 minutes without errors or lapses in concentration, particularly against elite opponents, he added. On the Matteo Romano situation, Stramaccioni acknowledged Roma's constraints while defending the decision to let the academy product leave. "It is difficult to predict how a young player might impact Serie A, but Romano is doing what he must do. Cagliari made a clever deal," he said. Regarding Roma's negotiating position, he noted: "Roma was probably also conditioned by financial fair play. These are things easy to comment on from outside and difficult to manage from inside. I would have kept a buy-back clause, as the big clubs do."

Wesley and Malen, two key players in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma setup, enjoyed an evening together at a Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the Colosseum. Both players were absent from their respective national team selections due to physical issues and are working to regain full fitness ahead of the resumption of Serie A. With Gasperini having granted the squad four days of rest, the two Roma players made use of the break to unwind together. The meal was documented and shared by ARoma Restaurant on Instagram.

Santiago Castro has yet to score for Roma this season, with his playing time limited so far. However, Gian Piero Gasperini is counting on the Argentine forward from October onwards and is hopeful of goals from him as the campaign progresses. Castro's contributions are expected to increase as Roma's fixture schedule intensifies, with the head coach viewing him as a key part of his attacking plans going forward.

Evan N'Dicka started and played all 90 minutes for Ivory Coast in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana on 24 September, lining up alongside Diomande in defence. Konstantinos Koulierakis, his Roma defensive partner, remained on the bench throughout Serbia's Nations League group-stage opener against Greece. Both players were among 12 Roma squad members called up by their respective national teams on the current international window. N'Dicka's full appearance underlines his importance to the Ivory Coast setup, while Koulierakis did not feature in Serbia's debut fixture in Nations League group 2.

The international break has arrived with 12 Roma players involved across their national teams. Today, 24 September, two Roma defenders featured for their countries: Evan N'Dicka and Konstantinos Koulierakis. N'Dicka faced Ghana at 21:00 Italian time in a qualifier for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, representing Ivory Coast in Group C alongside Somalia and Gambia. The Roma centre-back was in contention for a starting place in Ivory Coast's defence. The probable lineup saw N'Dicka positioned alongside O. Diomandé in defence, with Y. Fofana in goal, and Kessié, Sangaré and Oulaï across midfield, while Pépé, Bonny and Yan Diomandé formed the attacking line under manager Renard in a 4-3-3 formation. Koulierakis played for Greece against Serbia at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade at 20:45, competing in the opening match of the 2026–27 Nations League. The defender was also pushing for a starting berth. Greece lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Vlachodimos in goal, Vagiannidis and Mavropanos flanking Koulierakis and Retsos in defence, Zafeiris and Kourbelis holding midfield, and Tzolis, Pelkas and Bakasetas supporting forward Douvikas.

Roma's squad has increased in value by approximately €150 million over the past year, driven by Gian Piero Gasperini's management since his appointment. The club has returned to the Champions League after a seven-year absence, and the upturn extends beyond the pitch into the club's finances. Gasperini, who built a successful nine-year project at Atalanta, is repeating that model at Roma, with improvements visible across every department of the squad. Mile Svilar arrived on a free transfer and remains unchanged in value as an integral goalkeeper, while Evan N'Dicka, also a free signing, is now valued at €35 million. Mario Hermoso has been transformed from a surplus player into a defensive cornerstone worth €15 million. Gianluca Mancini's value has climbed to €25 million, and Leonardo Balerdi, a recent arrival, has already proven his calibre and reclaimed his place in Argentina's squad. Wesley, signed last summer for €25 million, has attracted a €40 million offer from Chelsea that Roma rejected. Young prospect Emanuele Lulli exemplifies the club's emerging talents whose economic value is rising. Niccolò Pisilli, a Roma academy product who rejected potential summer moves, now commands €30 million. Manu Koné, the headline signing of the summer window, remained at the capital despite interest and is valued at €60 million according to Transfermarkt. Donyell Malen's worth has jumped from the €25 million Roma spent in January plus €2 million in loan fees to a current valuation of €50 million. With numerous young players in the squad—including Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Daniele Ghilardi, and Matías Soulé—these valuations are expected to grow further if on-field performance remains strong.

Evan N'Dicka started and played all 90 minutes for Ivory Coast in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana on 24 September, lining up alongside Diomande in defence. Konstantinos Koulierakis, his Roma defensive partner, remained on the bench throughout Serbia's Nations League group-stage opener against Greece. Both players were among 12 Roma squad members called up by their respective national teams on the current international window. N'Dicka's full appearance underlines his importance to the Ivory Coast setup, while Koulierakis did not feature in Serbia's debut fixture in Nations League group 2.

The international break has arrived with 12 Roma players involved across their national teams. Today, 24 September, two Roma defenders featured for their countries: Evan N'Dicka and Konstantinos Koulierakis. N'Dicka faced Ghana at 21:00 Italian time in a qualifier for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, representing Ivory Coast in Group C alongside Somalia and Gambia. The Roma centre-back was in contention for a starting place in Ivory Coast's defence. The probable lineup saw N'Dicka positioned alongside O. Diomandé in defence, with Y. Fofana in goal, and Kessié, Sangaré and Oulaï across midfield, while Pépé, Bonny and Yan Diomandé formed the attacking line under manager Renard in a 4-3-3 formation. Koulierakis played for Greece against Serbia at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade at 20:45, competing in the opening match of the 2026–27 Nations League. The defender was also pushing for a starting berth. Greece lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Vlachodimos in goal, Vagiannidis and Mavropanos flanking Koulierakis and Retsos in defence, Zafeiris and Kourbelis holding midfield, and Tzolis, Pelkas and Bakasetas supporting forward Douvikas.

Roma are tracking Frosinone winger Giorgi Kvernadze as a target for the January transfer window, according to reports. The Georgian, born 2003, has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists across Serie A and Coppa Italia in recent matches observed by Roma scouts. Frosinone have valued the left-sided player at approximately €25 million and are not willing to let him leave without a significant offer. Roma have made an impressive start to the 2026-27 season, sitting top of Serie A on 13 points from 15 alongside Inter and Napoli. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad has successfully integrated summer additions including Balerdi, Molina, Rodrigo Mora, Koulierakis and Marten de Roon. However, the club recognises the need for further reinforcement, particularly a left-footed right-sided winger, and has begun preparations ahead of the winter market. Kvernadze has attracted interest from multiple clubs across Europe. Alongside Roma, Fiorentina and Napoli are monitoring the situation, while Premier League side Hull City have reportedly made moves to prepare an offer for the January window. The Frosinone winger is valued at €25 million, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport and confirmed by Il Tempo.

Roma radio commentators have split over whether Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina should be allowed to travel to Lionel Messi's farewell friendly in Argentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having reportedly vetoed the trip ahead of Roma's fixture with Como. The debate centres on the conflict between honouring a historic moment — Messi's retirement from international football — and the club's fixture schedule, with the players facing a long journey and a quick turnaround before their next match. Carina told Radio Radio: "Gasperini has given four days of rest, making clear what the situation is. One of the strongest players in the world cannot play for his national team: it is absurd. If Dybala said to him, 'Boss, send me to this party', I find it hard to think Gasperini would say no." Torri countered on Mana Mana Sport that "the club and Gasperini have every right to prevent them from making a long journey and returning just hours before the Como match, even though I understand it is difficult to say no." Agresti argued for respecting the club's interests, noting: "Wesley, Malen and Cristante did not go because they were not well; making journeys of this kind for a party is a distraction to avoid." Commentators also revisited Roma's sale of Gianluca Mancini, with Pugliese noting the club needed to record sales for financial purposes and that the player sought the move. Camelio called the transfer "a gigantic error", saying: "He wanted to play, it is right that you let him go, but you must put something in your favour." Vocalelli drew parallels to Inter's sale of Nicolò Zaniolo to Roma, observing that such decisions are common in football but that Ranieri had apparently identified potential in Mancini that Gasperini did not immediately see. Ordine raised the point that Roma had already faced criticism from the Dutch national coach over Donyell Malen's absence, questioning consistency in squad release policy.

Roberto Mancini has named his 23-man squad for Italy's Nations League opener against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico on 25 September, with AS Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi among those excluded. The match marks the official start of Mancini's new cycle as Italy manager. Ghilardi was omitted alongside Matteo Pessina, Alessandro Bastoni (muscle fatigue), Ruggeri, Ricci, Fagioli, Vergara, Nicolò Zaniolo, Sebastiano Esposito, Kouadio and Inácio.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has named his 23-player squad for this evening's Nations League match against Belgium at the Olimpico. Gianluca Mancini is included in the squad, but Daniele Ghilardi has been omitted and will watch from the stands. Bryan Cristante remained at Roma's training ground due to physical issues. Beyond the two Roma players, Italy also leaves out Pessina, Bastoni (suspended), Kouadio, Ruggeri, Ricci, Fagioli, Inacio, Vergara, Nicolò Zaniolo and Sebastiano Esposito from the initial aggregated group. The match is a significant fixture in the Nations League campaign and marks Mancini's first squad announcement as head coach after Italy's failure in the World Cup. The full squad includes: Goalkeepers Donnarumma, Carnesecchi, Vicario; defenders Kayode, Ahanor, Calafiori, Coppola, Scalvini, Di Lorenzo, Mancini; midfielders Romano, Mandragora, Tonali, Doumbia, Zoma, Frattesi, Barella; forwards Pio Esposito, Kean, Raspadori, Scamacca, Maldini, Cambiaghi.